ANZAC Day trading restrictions

Late night trading venues such as nightclubs, pubs and bars across the state that would normally trade between 3am and midday are required to cease the supply of alcohol at 3am on ANZAC Day.

ANZAC Day is a time of respectful commemoration for all Australians. To protect the solemn observance of this day, trading hours for licensed venues are restricted on the morning of ANZAC Day.

This restriction achieves a balance between the commercial interests of the industry and community expectations.

Applications for temporary limited licences and major event licences for ANZAC Day will still be considered. The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation must be satisfied that the supply of alcohol is in connection with commemorative activities and will be consistent with the solemn observance of the day. Visit the Temporary licence page for details on how to apply for these licence categories.

Returned and Services League (RSL) Clubs and Sub-branches

RSL clubs and sub-branches may apply for an extension to ordinary trading hours on ANZAC day.

For RSL clubs that wish to supply liquor before midday on ANZAC Day, a letter must be submitted to the VCGLR requesting a change to trading hours. The submission should provide information on how trade prior to 12pm on ANZAC Day would be connected to commemorative services and be consistent with the solemn observance of the day. Submissions can be sent to GPO 1988, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, or via the contact us enquiry form.

Exemptions to ANZAC Day restrictions

RSL and its sub-branches

See information above.

Wineries

Wineries that are currently authorised to begin trading at 10am on ANZAC Day will still be able to open at 10am as normal.

Residents and guests of residents in licensed premises as well as guests of licensees

Supply of liquor in these circumstances is not considered to disturb the public commemoration of ANZAC Day.

Liquor supplied by airlines aboard aircraft or by duty free retailers

The servicing of aircrafts and the sale of liquor through duty free outlets to international travellers will not be affected.

Pre-retail licence

Since pre-retail licensees cannot supply liquor to the general public, they are not considered to pose a risk to the commemoration of ANZAC Day.

Note: Late night venues should check their trading hours for the day before ANZAC Day to ensure they are authorised to trade. For example, should ANZAC Day fall on a Sunday, a licence that shows Saturday trading until 5am the following day is not authorised to trade past 3am.

Other public holiday restrictions

There are two and a half restricted trading days each year:

Good Friday

Christmas Day

ANZAC Day.

All liquor licensees should check the conditions on their licence to determine whether these days affect their trading hours.